ARTISTS
Mayla
Owner + Artist
Howdy! I am a fine line tattoo artist from the South with a background in graphic design, fine arts, and leathersmithing :) I started Blu Bandit in 2021 as a private studio welcoming all clients looking for an intimate space to get inked, and we have since grown into a multi artist
tattoo shop with guest artists and pop up events.
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My style is whatever your style is! While I primarily tattoo fine line illustrative pieces, I am always open to jumping around between traditional styles, microrealism, surrealism, abstract, neo-trad, and tribal.
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I'm forever grateful to all of you who make my dream of being a full time artist possible. I hope you enjoy our little studio and welcome you to the Blu Bandit family.
Afnan
Artist + Shop Manager
“I’m restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again.”
― Anaïs Nin
I'm Afnan, a mullti-lingual/cultural (Arabic & Japanese) first year tattoo artist. I began my tattoo journey in January 2024 and had the incredible opportunity to continue with an apprenticeship at Blu Bandit.
Over the years I dabbled in illustration, relief printmaking, oil painting, and more. Born and raised in Muscat Oman, my traditional roots initially forbade me from even considering a tattoo nonetheless a career in tattooing. Even though I am a creative at heart I inevitably went down a rigorous academic path followed by years of corporate hustle. Somehow the path I was on led me to tattooing, a space I finally feel at home. There are no regrets to how I got here and really nothing I would change.
I have met incredible people along the way, found myself in Colorado, and honed my research skills to really embrace my region's intricate history with tattooing and further validating the calling I feel toward it.
My style is manifesting into a whimsical, witchy, illustrative work, something I hope to develop and keep working at. Right now I am incredibly grateful for the folks I have been able to tattoo and the future ones I will!
Nayoung
Artist
My journey into tattooing began in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. At the time, I was studying fine art and drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. However, I decided to take a gap year to pursue my growing passion for tattooing. After completing my apprenticeship in Seoul, I returned to school to finish my studies while also continuing my tattoo practice.
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I specialize in black and grey fine line tattoos, drawing inspiration from a blend of American traditional imagery, realism, and modern cultural influences. My style seeks to bridge contemporary aesthetics with the timeless appeal of classic tattoo motifs, utilizing bold yet delicate fine line techniques to bring these ideas to life.
The most rewarding aspect of my work is the opportunity to collaborate with clients, transforming their visions into permanent art. Whether through custom designs or cherished flash pieces, I am grateful for the trust they place in me.
Thank you for the continued support!
